VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES - Schedule of variable interest entities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2022	Jan. 01, 2022	Oct. 02, 2021	Apr. 03, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021	Oct. 03, 2020
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 18,542		$ 19,171
Accounts receivable	3,967		4,113
Inventories	4,240		3,510
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	3,839		3,896
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,395		3,205
Fixed assets - net	35,154		36,174
Operating lease right-of-use assets - net	52,575		56,336
Other assets	2,242		2,270
Total assets	156,168		161,216
Accounts payable - trade	4,909		4,886
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	13,912		13,679
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	5,880		6,165
Current portion of notes payable	5,839		6,973
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	49,388		52,552
Notes payable, less current portion	22,121		25,509
Total liabilities	102,049		109,764
Equity of variable interest entities	54,119	$ 53,426	51,452	$ 41,220	$ 36,442	$ 37,153
Total liabilities and equity	156,168		161,216
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	277		785
Accounts receivable	392		358
Inventories	40		35
Prepaid and refundable income taxes	280		278
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	128		277
Due from Ark Restaurants Corp. and affiliates	284		187
Fixed assets - net	210		218
Operating lease right-of-use assets - net	2,211		2,342
Other assets	82		82
Total assets	3,904		4,562
Accounts payable - trade	122		213
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	554		374
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	260		249
Current portion of notes payable	0		95
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	2,061		2,193
Notes payable, less current portion	0		101
Total liabilities	2,997		3,225
Equity of variable interest entities	907		1,337
Total liabilities and equity	$ 3,904		$ 4,562